Theresa Kiernan
Communicating with Wit and Humor
Written By Amy McElroy
W
hen asked how people
would describe her, in a
nutshell, Theresa Kiernan
smiled and said, “If people could say
two things about me, they’d say, ‘she’s
not quiet and she likes to goof around
a lot.’” That’s Kiernan to a tee. When it
comes to communicating, she does it
with wit and humor.
Kiernan brings these qualities to
her current roles as communications
consultant, Program Facilitator for
Leadership Morgan Hill, and President
of Morgan Hill Rotary Club. In a world
where people are hard-pressed to slow
down and focus, her communications
style cuts through all the distraction
and wins people over every time.
Her journey to this point is an
interesting one.
After receiving a degree in business
administration in her native upstate
New York, Kiernan knew one thing
for sure: “I tried a job in a bank’s trust
department where you could hear a pin
drop. It was way too quiet for me. In
the 1980s, I switched into employee
training and development, and was also
an executive for non-profits.”
In 1999, her husband Bill landed a
job in finance at Dole Foods in Salinas,
so they moved the family to Hollister.
She settled in quickly, working in
several non-profit positions, eventually
becoming Executive Director of the San
Benito Chamber of Commerce.
In 2002, the Kiernans relocated to
Morgan Hill to shorten the family’s
commute times. Her husband had
joined a high tech firm in San Jose, and
their son’s love of ice hockey required
driving to frequent practices and games.
TK & Associates
Kiernan founded a communications
consultancy, TK & Associates, to
provide professional development
training focused on relationship build-
ing through solid communications
skills. Among her key clients
are San Francisco-based Decker
Communications, a professional training
company; and Leadership Morgan Hill,
a nonprofit organization.
It’s no wonder Kiernan gravitated to
a career in communications, given her
talent for connecting with people and
inspiring teamwork. She brings out the
best in others and her natural sense of
humor breaks the ice.
Kiernan brings out the fun-loving
side in others too. One day a client
teasingly asked, “Theresa, what have
you accomplished today?”
Without missing a beat, Kiernan
quipped, “I don’t know, but I sure made
a lot of new friends.”
Leadership Morgan Hill
While in Hollister, Kiernan served on
the steering committee that started
the leadership program for San Benito
County and participated in its first
class. She also served as a volunteer
with Leadership Gilroy for one year.
After moving to Morgan Hill, she took
a position working for the downtown
association. In 2013, she was hired
as Program Facilitator for Leadership
Morgan Hill, a nine-month leader-
ship development program that boasts
an impressive list of alums. Kiernan
continues to serve in this role today
and looks forward to working with each
year’s new class.
“My favorite part of the program,”
she said, “is the people. . .the board
members, and the people who complete
the program and get involved in the
community and give back—which is
the mission.”
The program is open to all
Morgan Hill residents by application.
Approximately 20 people are selected
for each year’s class. The program
brings together people with a variety of
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MAY/JUNE 2017
backgrounds and interests. According
to Kiernan, the common denominator is
interest in community involvement.
“If you have the slightest desire to get
involved…take this program to find out
about your community. You can learn
about every aspect, from public safety
to city government to education, and
economic development.” For people
who want to connect with others and
volunteer in the Morgan Hill commu-
nity, “It’s a way to find their niche.”
Morgan Hill Rotary Club
The origin of Kiernan’s primary
volunteer commitment, Morgan Hill
Rotary, also stems from her time in
Hollister. She’d just begun to meet
people there when she befriended the
Hollister librarian who asked her to
head the adult literacy program. Then,
the city manager asked her to check out
the local Rotary club.
“It blew my mind that the city man-
ager asked me!” Kiernan said. Now, with
more than a decade of involvement in
Rotary clubs, she describes Rotarians
as “the most awesome people I’ve ever
met. They’re my extended family. The
ones [I’m] with, side by side every week,
doing service projects.”
Morgan Hill Rotary is a group that
seems to fit her jovial and generous
personality. “There’s a lot of teasing that
goes on, but they will be there for you…
anywhere anytime.”
Kiernan was a club officer for about
five years before stepping into her
current position as president. She’s
enjoyed many roles in the club—taking
charge of committees, coordinating
events, volunteering for specific tasks.
According to Kiernan, “One of the
beauties of Rotary is that it’s bigger than
the small club that you’re in. It’s nice to
be in an organization where you can be
yourself and where you can do some good
both locally, nationally, and globally.”
gmhtoday.com
49